Chief feature writer Paddy Shennan talks to Jean Alexander, on the eve of her appearance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall – and almost 20 years to the day since she left Coronation Street

Chief feature writer Paddy Shennan talks to Jean Alexander, on the eve of her appearance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall – and almost 20 years to the day since she left Coronation Street

SHE put away Hilda Ogden’s pinny, headscarf and rollers and waved goodbye to Coronation Street 20 years ago this Christmas.

But Liverpool-born Jean Alexander, a long time resident of Southport, didn’t bid farewell to the world of work.

And tomorrow, at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool – which she hasn’t visited since 1948! – the 81-year-old will be putting in a shift which makes her feel as nervous as a kitten who’s already lived eight of her nine lives.

Jean will be presenting The Spirt of Christmas, the Phil’s traditional celebration of Christmas which, as always, has sold out well in advance of the big night.

Featuring conductor Ian Tracey and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir, the concert is an annual festive family treat for people who want to get in the holiday spirit.

But whereas the audience will be looking forward to it with eager anticipation, one of the country’s most-experienced actors is in a rather different frame of mind.

Talking from her Southport home of 37 years, before settling down to watch an episode of Midsomer Murders, Jean explains: “I was telling Ian Tracey that there was a two-word phrase we used in the theatre to describe how I feel – and the second word was ‘scared’!

“I’ve never presented anything before – anything at all. I don’t do stage work any more but if it was acting or just doing readings I’d be fine. I hope I’ll be able to put on a front. My agent said if it starts to go wrong to make a joke of it, so I might have to have some jokes ready!”

If you’re wondering why she agreed to put herself through the ordeal, Jean reveals she initially thought she would simply be doing some readings – as opposed to filling the more comprehensive role of presenter.

She adds: “I was told that the former newsreader Richard Baker did it for years, but I said ‘That’s his job. He’s a presenter.’

“My nerves will certainly be jangling. I’ve not been so scared since my days in weekly rep. But actors are always insecure and we always think everything’s going to be a disaster.

“And if you’re not nervous, then you’re not able to do it at all. You just have to try and control your nerves, although I’ll probably throw up when it’s over!”

Jean, however, who was born in Rhiwlas Street, Princes Park, has many fond memories of the Philharmonic Hall – although they do stretch back almost 60 years!

She explains: “I’ve not been in the Philharmonic Hall since 1948, when I lived in Liverpool. I began working in the theatre in the middle of 1949 and I’ve not lived in Liverpool since. I used to go to concerts there and to the films they showed on Sunday nights.”

The Spirit of Christmas, which is packed with carols and readings, is described as a treat for music fans.

Although Jean is not a sentimental soul prone to wallowing in the past, it was my duty to bring up an incredible “Is it really THAT long ago?” anniversary . . . although she made a brief reappearance in 1990, Jean, after 23 years as Hilda, said goodbye to Corrie on Christmas Day, 1987, when the locals in the Rovers Return joined everyone’s favourite charlady in a stirring rendition of Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye.

Our Hilda was on her way to Derbyshire, to make a new life for herself as the housekeeper for that nice Doctor Lowther – and, to be honest, Weatherfield has never really been the same since.

Mrs O is so embedded in the consciousness of the nation’s soap fans that in a TV Times poll in 2005 – 18 years after she left – she was named the UK’s favourite soap character.

Quite right, too. And not only is she the best character, but Stan (the late Bernard Youens) and Hilda remain the best double act in soap history, and Stan, Hilda and lodger Eddie Yeats (Liverpool-born Geoffrey Hughes – Jean has just sent him a Christmas card) the best trio.

Jean says it’s “very nice and very flattering” that people still remember her portrayal of Hilda with such affection, but she is keen to deflect praise and credit onto “really good writers like Jack Rosenthal, Jim Allen and John Stevenson”.

Recalling Hilda’s departure, Jean says: “It certainly doesn’t seem like yesterday, not least because for the last 18 years I’ve been appearing in Last Of The Summer Wine (as Auntie Wainwright).

“The Street’s just gone with the wind now. But I keep an eye on it, because some of my old friends are still in it.”

Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn (as Jack and Vera Duckworth) have done a wonderful job playing a modern-day Stan and Hilda, but, sadly, this partnership is set to be broken up as Liz is due to leave the show because of ill health. Jean says: “I was very sorry to hear about Liz. She and Bill play very good characters – in the old Coronation Street style.

“The programme has changed. Nowadays, I think a lot of the characters are similar. You don’t get too many individual characters – they are very good, but it’s a different style. And, unfortunately, most of the stories are very similar.

“It’s a different show and the hours the actors now work must be punishing. When I was in it we did two episodes a week, not five, and we had three days of rehearsal.”

I remember – at a book signing in 1989 for Jean’s autobiography, The Other Side Of The Street – overhearing a photographer (not an ECHO one!) asking the actress “How are you enjoying your retirement, love?”

Fortunately, Jean, who, as well as Last Of The Summer Wine, has appeared in the likes of Heartbeat, Barbara and Where The Heart Is, as well as the films Scandal and Willie’s War, since Corrie, didn’t hear him.

Has her post-Weatherfield career gone just as planned? “Yes, it has. I was lucky enough to get a part (Auntie Wainwright) that suited me – it was right up my street. And I’m now in the fortunate position where if I don’t like a script and don’t want to do it, I don’t have to. I can pick and choose, which suits me very well now.”

By God woman, you’re 81 – your work ethic probably puts some people half your age to shame! So what’s the secret of being one of Merseyside’s – perhaps the world’s – healthiest-looking octogenarians?

“I think it’s just hard work,” she says, laughing. “And if you can still remember lines and not fall flat on your face, you can go on forever as an actor!”

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